Fysioterapeuten (Nov 2024)
Males with eating disorders and compulsive exercise: A survey
Abstract
Objective: In the absence of much research on the importance of different eating disorder (ED) symptoms in males, increased awareness of unique concerns regarding males is needed. The study aimed to investigate attitudes towards exercise, self-reported exercise amount, and factors associated with compulsive exercise in diagnostic groups in a sample of male clinical ED patients. Method: The sample consisted of 82 male ED patients (inpatients and outpatients). The diagnostic distribution was 58.0% (n = 47) AN, 29.6% (n = 24) BN, and 12.4% (n = 10) OSFED. The mean age was 30.4 years (SD = 10.7), and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.1 (SD = 10.0). Group differences and regression models were investigated. Measures: The Exercise and Eating Disorder questionnaire, The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire. Results: No significant differences were found between diagnostic groups for the EED global score, subscales, or self-reported amount of exercise. The regression models showed a significant association with compulsive exercise for the EDE-Q global score, frequency and intensity of exercise (p < 0.001) and duration of exercise (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings indicate shared attitudes and thoughts regarding exercise (measured by the EED questionnaire), across diagnostic groups in males with ED. To reduce compulsive exercise in males with EDs, it is important to target thoughts and attitudes towards exercise, and the results highlight the importance of targeting core ED symptoms and amount of exercise.
